avphibes

I stayed in downtown Reading, which I probably would not opt to do if I went there again. The downtown area is full of beautiful old victorian buildings and houses, but is disappointingly run-down. I didn’t feel like it was a place I wanted to be wandering around.

West Reading, however, was rather charming. The outlet mall (which everything I read online seemed to indicate was the principle “tourist attraction” of Reading) was kind of an anticlimax, but the Haute Chocolate shop was great… 14 kinds of hot chocolate! I only tried three, but they were all amazing.

Wow, this is the first time I’ve had to add a location! I guess I’m intrigued by this place because of Mas Les Cols (I love food and modernism!) and because it seems so beautiful. Also, it has a volcano!

I only went to Nassau and found it kind of disappointingly touristy (everything felt “made for americans” and it was full of tacky gift shops)...but Cafe Martinique is one of the best meals I’ve had in my life! That alone makes it worth going!

I really enjoyed Hydra tremendously. I went there on one of the boat tours that goes to Hydra, Poros and Aegina so I only had about an hour to spend there, but I would love to go back and spend a few days. The things that differentiated it from the other two islands was the lack of cars and the abundance of cats!

Aside from just being beautiful, the mood was very laid back and calm and, considering that I came with a boat of tourists (and the island subsits on tourism), once you get past the ring of shops in the harbor, it doesn’t feel “touristy” in that tacky, overcrowded way. I hiked around with my boyfriend and we hardly saw anyone else except a few old ladies who said hello to us in Greek from their porches.

The stray cats here also seemed much less feral than the ones in Athens and many of them would let me pet them.

I can think of almost nothing I like about this place. The beach is nice in the way that any beach is nice. The town itself is very dull and homogenous. Lots of malls and mini-malls. Mostly old people and fake blonde/fake tan type of girls and pleated-khaki-wearing type of guys. I have family there which is the only justification for going.

I kind of wanted to like it. It’s warm, the art deco architecture is cool…but the beaches and the clubs were so crowded and cheesy. I just couldn’t get into it.

I didn’t go to Pittsburgh expecting to love it…I went for an art gallery opening and, much to my surprise, thought it was awesome! The architecture is interesting, the layout of the city between the rivers and the mountain is beautiful, and there’s a lively, albeit small, artsy/alternative culture and great thrift/vintage stores. I’ve mostly spent time on South Side and love the little bars there. I’ve made friends there and enjoy going back. I used to say that if I ever had to leave New York, I would move to Pittsburgh.

I’ve been here several times. My boyfriend was living here when we started dating (although he moved to NY shortly after). You pretty much HAVE to get a cheesesteak if you go there. I like Geno’s, although Tony Luke’s is also good (get it with cheese whiz and add ketchup!) If you like more upscale cuisine, Morimoto’s is fantastic. On the first friday of the month, all the art galleries in Old Town have their openings and it’s fun to wander from gallery to gallery. There’s also all sorts of historical landmarks to visit if that’s your thing.

I’ve only been to Chicago for a few days, but I had a very good time. The architecture of the city is truly fascinating and Marina City may be one of my favorite buildings…very 60’s futuristic. A boat tour up the river is a great way to see all the buildings.

Lowry’s steakhouse is a great meal and the grilled Octopus at Costas in Greek Town may be the best I’ve ever had…better even than in Greece! A very enjoyable city. Big enough to have lots to do, but still laid back.

I used to go to San Francisco pretty frequently. It’s a beautiful town and great for exploring on foot. There are some great restaurants and the burritos in the Mission taquerias are truly a regional treat! A hike up to Coit tower is very picturesque and a stroll along the pacific coast to the seal rocks is very peaceful. People there can be a little nutty, but as long as you don’t try to forge close relationships with them, it’s a great place!